When Jennifer Hunt first took an online watercolor painting class with a friend in 2021, she didn’t know at the time that she would fall in love with the process.
“For me, it was more about decompressing and a way to turn my brain off and get lost in creating,” Hunt said. “Art has been this really great thing that came at a really good time in my life, it’s just been a journey and I have been in awe of it.”
From there, Hunt began painting every day, primarily florals. She got into plants during the pandemic and found inspiration from the greenery in her home.
“I’ve been drawn to florals my whole life,” she said. “I have tried painting landscapes, it’s fun but it doesn’t feed my soul like painting flowers does. That’s what I love to paint and it just brings me a lot of joy.”
She dabbles in watercolor inks, acrylic paint and gauche here and there, but watercolor painting is her mainstay.
“I love the way the paint will bleed and bloom on the paper,” she said.
Hunt, who goes by The Planty Creative, says markets have been a big way for her to meet new people.
“Everytime I do a market, everybody is so kind, so wonderful and supportive,” Hunt said. “They have such kind words to say about my art. Other artists, sharing knowledge, that’s been really helpful.”
“I tend to play a little bit small, and I don’t want to be seen, but now I feel like now is the time where I’m blossoming and coming out of my shell and it’s been great that people have been so accepting and have been so kind,” Hunt continued. “It’s been great to meet people who say, ‘Hey, I found you on Instagram, I follow you,’ or, ‘I came here today because I saw that you were having this market and I wanted to meet you,’ and it’s just mindblowing.”
As a self-taught artist, Hunt says she allows herself to explore and not keep herself in a box. She describes her art style as intuitive and expressive, and she paints loose. She prefers to mix the colors on the page instead of in the pallet, and tries not to overthink. Hunt has been feeling the urge to teach some classes, and hopes to help foster a creative environment for other emerging artists in the future.
“There are rules, but I don’t follow them,” she said.
Hunt’s artwork will be on display at Alaska Pacific University in the Grant Hall Building from April 1 through May 31. There will also be a First Friday opening reception on May 2 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
